GDF requests supplementary funding for acquisition of four fixed-wing aircraft

DPI, GUYANA, Saturday, April 28, 2018

Government wants to ensure that safe aircraft are provided for the officers who are often tasked with transporting patients and other resources, and conducting search and rescue exercises into the Hinterland, often times in extreme weather conditions.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon on Friday confirmed that a $484, 239, 000 in supplementary funds requested by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) is intended for the purchase of four, fixed-wing aircraft.

The aircraft to be purchased are two sky vans and two islanders.

Minister Harmon said they are ideal for the weather conditions in Guyana. Further, “The GDF has competency in both the sky van and islander,” he added.

The GDF has years of experience in operating the aircrafts. The Force has one of the sky vans still in operation.

While the aircrafts to be purchased are reconditioned and no longer being manufactured, Minister Harmon assured that they are “very good factory tested” aircraft which will ensure that the GDF conducts its activities efficiently and safely.

Some $213, 885,000 from within the GDF’s 2018 capital programme has already been identified to meet the initial payments for the four aircraft.

This amount constitutes the final payment.

 

By: Stacy Carmichael.